Peter McGrail says victory over Alexander Espinoza will be the launchpad towards title fights and “big things” next year.
McGrail shared a final stare down with Nicaraguan puncher Espinoza at Friday’s weigh-in ahead of his headline fight at Probellum Liverpool II.
The future world champion has only had four fights as a professional, but the Liverpudlian’s stellar amateur career means he is ready to be moved quickly towards title class.
And McGrail, who tipped the scales at 124.2lbs at the Eventim Olympia, knows a win over the experienced Espinoza will catapult him towards fights with domestic rivals Jason Cunningham, Liam Davies and Gamal Yafai – fighters the Everton fan is already confident of beating.
“At this moment in time, I’m nowhere near close to the rankings as I’ve only had four fights, but I believe over the next two or three fights, I’m going to be pushing into that top 10 domestically,”McGrail said.
“But there’s no-one even in the top four that I wouldn’t back myself against. I believe the experience I’ve had in the amateurs and boxing for Great Britain over the years, none of them in the top 10 in Great Britain would worry me.
“Cunningham has been European champion and Davies has the British, one million per cent, I believe I’d beat them.
“But I’m not one to call people out. I leave all of that down to my management team, Probellum and my coach Paul Stevenson. All I can do is make sure I am at my best in fights and I’m pretty sure that over the next few years we’re going to be showing that I’m number one.
“This feels like the start of big things for me. Next year will be the looking to start collecting some belts, it’s been a long time coming.”
Probellum Liverpool II, which also features the IBO world featherweight title fight between Jazza Dickens and Lerato Dlamini, streams live and for free at Probellum.com from 6pm.
10 Rounds Super Bantamweight Contest
Peter McGrail (4-0) 124.2lbs
Alexander Espinoza (21-4-2) 121.4lbs
VACANT IBO WORLD FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE
Jazza Dickens (31-4) 125.12lbs
Lerato Dlamini (18-1) 125.2lbs
6 Rounds Lightweight Contest
Steven Cairns (3-0) 136.8lbs
Angelo Turco (8-26-2) 133.4lbs
6 Rounds Super Bantamweight Contest
Joe McGrail (5-0) 124.1lbs
Alexander Taylor (20-36-2) 124.1lbs
6 Rounds Bantamweight Contest
Blane Hyland (6-1) 119.6lbs
Mikey Young (2-5-1) 117.1lbs
6 Rounds Bantamweight Contest
Will Cawley (2-0) 124.1lbs
Angel Gabriel Chavez (3-3-1) 120.4lbs
4 Rounds Featherweight Contest
John Edwardson (3-0) 131.8lbs
Simas Volosinas (7-103) 132lbs
Doors open at 5pm
